According to data from the CDC, the death rate for African-Americans decreased by 25% from 1999 to 2015. However, African-Americans ages 18-49 are 2 times as likely to die from heart disease as their Caucasian counterparts. Also those between ages 35-60 are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than their Caucasian counterparts.
A recent analyses done by VeryWell Health which is an editorial group that synthesizes health information found that black men in the United States suffer worse health outcomes than any other racial group in America, they also have the lowest life expectancy and the highest death rate from all causes compared to both men and women of other racial and ethnic groups.
The top 10 leading causes of death in the black community include:
Many reasons have been proposed for the great disparities we see in outcomes in the black community. These include well known challenges like racial discrimination, high rates of incarceration, unemployment, poverty and lack of health insurance. However, cultural beliefs and attitudes towards regular physician visits and checkups are a great contributor to poor outcomes as well. Unhealthy habits like smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and unhealthy diet also greatly contribute.
We need to encourage a healthy understanding of our health needs, regular doctor visits and taking medications as prescribed to help prevent these poor outcomes. It is also important that the doctors taking care of minority patients are culturally aware of some of the challenges they face to effectively advocate for them.
If you live in the Charlotte area and you are looking for culturally sensitive care, check us out at
Crown Clinic.
4500 South Tryon St
704-527-5522
We are near South End
